'It's so sad': Hatch traders share their heartbreak following announcement of 'sudden' closure
01.09.2023 - 18:09
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Vendors at Hatch have been sharing their upset following the news that the city centre hub will be closing down at the end of the month.
Owners Bruntwood announced today (September 1) that the street food destination within the Oxford Road Corridor will be closing on September 30. The site is already earmarked, pending application licences, for a similar food and drink space by the Danieli Group and leisure chain STACK.
However, stall owners at Hatch claim they were only given a month’s notice to find new premises to operate from, whilst Bruntwood said permanent site staff are also currently undergoing a period of consultation. Current traders at Hatch include shoe shop Sneaker Pharm, Herbivorous, Tech Titans and Tailor 2 Fit.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features
Speaking to the M.E.N, Caroline Martins, who runs Rio Mex at Hatch as well as at Mala in the Northern Quarter, said the news has been 'heartbreaking'.
“It just came out of nowhere,” she explained. “We were called into a meeting this morning and were told the news. Even the manager didn’t know before then. We are all surprised because everybody loves Hatch so much - it’s such a great vibe and it’s always very busy."
“It was a shock for everyone because we were all doing so well,” Caroline, who joined Hatch with her business in February, added. “We were just getting ready for the new students to arrive and arranging for lots of events and this has come out of the blue. We were also getting our Christmas preparations underway too."
Other traders have also shared their reactions to the news on social media. "We were told this morning with a month's notice to CLOSE," Danielle Davies, a hair stylist based at